Magnetic separator.



No. 662,4I3. I Patented Nov. 27, 1900. E. GATES.

MAGNETIC SEPABATOB.

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No. 662,4I3. Patented Nov; 27, moo.

E. GATES.

MAGNETIC SEPARATOHJ (Application filed Apr. 14, 1900.) (No Model.) 2Sheets-Sheet 2.

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ELMER GATES, OF CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THEODORE J. MAYER, OFWASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

MAGNETIC SEPARATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 662.413. dated November27, 1900.

Application filed April 14, 1900- Serial No. 12,906. (No model.)

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in MagneticSeparators; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in theseparation of para magnetic and diam-agnetic material-as, for instance,the separation of magnetic iron ore from associated gangue or theseparation of diam-agnetic metallic particles, such as free gold, fromcopper or the like from magnetic sands. To this end the material to beseparated is fed into the field of an electromagnet energized to adegree sufficient to cause the paramagnetic particles to arrangethemselves in the form of moss-like or frond-like built-up structures,thereby partly releasing the diamagnetic material entangled or enmeshedtherewith. Thesestructures are thereupon caused to shift their formationor arrangement and to contin uously travel across wavy, zigzag, ortortuous magnetic fields of force. During this period the diamagneticmaterial is constantly separating out from the paramagnetic material andmayconveniently be collectedin a hopper provided for its reception,while the paramagnetic mate rial goes on to a separate collecting hopperor hoppers. The present invention relates to apparatus embodying thesegeneral characteristics.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation ofone form or modification of apparatus embodying mypresent invention.Fig. 2 represents a front elevation of the magnet-pole and illustratesits relation to the receiving-hoppers. Fig. 3 rep resents a sideelevation of a duplex form of separator wherein both poles of the magnetare utilized. Fig. at represents a modified form of pole-piece.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout theseveral views.

Referring to the drawings, J indicates the energizing-coil of anelectromagnet having a core K, which terminates in a pole-piece M, whichis preferably inclined and bifurcated at its lower portion, asillustrated. The pole- ,piece M is provided (in the form shown in Fig.2) with a series of recesses a, preferably filled with lead or othernon-magnetic material or (in the form shown in Fig. 4) with a series ofcontinuous wavy grooves 17, similarly filled with non-magnetic materialand extending from the top portion along the bifurcated portions to theedges of the magnet-pole. The purpose of the recesses, indentations, orgrooves referred to is to establish along the face of the magnet-pole aseries of wavy, zigzag, or tortuous fields of magnetic force, so thatwhen the electromagnet is energized to a degree sufficient to cause thebuilding up of the moss-like or frond-like structures hereinbeforereferred to these structures will form in a corresponding wavy, zigzag,or tortuous distribution upon the screen or apron employed for theirreception immediately in front of the magnet-pole.

In the construction shown in the drawings the screen or apron employedis an endless band of non-magnetic material A, such as fabric or thelike, although it will be understood that in many instances other formsof traveling or moving screens or aprons may be employed for a likepurpose. In Fig. l the traveling belt A passes over the rollers a, anyone of which may be operated from a powershaft to actuate the belt inthe direction indicated by the arrow. In the form shown in Fig. 3 likebelts A pass over similar guiderollers b, any one of which may serve asa driving-roller to actuate them in like manner, as indicated by thearrows in said figure. B indicates a supply-hopper for the material tobe separated. C indicates the receiving-hopper for the diamagneticmaterial, and D indicates the receiving-hoppers for the para magneticmaterial.

The mode of operation of the invention is as follows: The material to beseparated is directed by the hopper B against the face of the travelingbelt or apron A as the latter passes the magnet-pole. The paramagneticmaterial thereupon at once adheres to the traveling belt or apron A inthe form of mosslike or frond-like built'up structures, and as i thebelt continues its travel these structures in their endeavor to travelonward With the belt and also to arrange themselves along the Wavy,zigzag, or tortuous fields of magnetic force follow the course of saidfields of force and move onward with the belt into paths which divergealong the bifurcated ends of the magnet-pole until they reach theextreme lower edges thereof, whereupon by successive accreiions theydrop oif into the hoppers D. During this movement the mosslikestructures continuously shift their arrangement and formation into otherstructures of a like character, and in this rearrangement of theirparticles the dian'iagnetic material is released from its entanglementand drops freely doWn into the collectinghopper O.

By means of this apparatus I am enabled to separate magnetic sands fromtheir accompanying gangue', so as to obtain a product of extraordinaryconcentration adapted for metallurgical uses Without further separation.The apparatus is also effective for the separation of particles of freecopper, free gold, or like diamagnetic metal from magnetic sands withwhich they are frequently associated in natural deposits.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. Apparatus forseparating magnetic from diamagnetic material comprising a magnetpole-piece having a wavy, zigzag, or tortuous distribution of theeffective lines of force, in combination with a traveling screen orapron passing in front of said pole-piece; substantially as set forth.

2. Apparatus for separating magnetic from diamagnetic material,comprising'a magnet pole-piece grooved or recessed to produce a wavy,zigzag, or tortuous distribution ofthe effective line of force, incombination with a traveling screen or apron passing in front of saidpole-piece; substantially as described.

3. Apparatus for separating magnetic from diamagnetic material,comprising a magnet pole-piece grooved or recessed to produce a wavy,zigzag, or tortuous distribution of the effective lines of force, themagnetic fields of force thus established finally diverging from eachother, in combination with a traveling screen or apron moving in frontof the polepiece; substantially as described.

4:. Apparatus for separating magnetic from diamagnetic material,comprising a magnet pole-piece grooved or recessed to produce a wavy,zigzag, or tortuous distribution of the effective lines of force, themagnetic fields of force thus established diverging from each other andleaving an intermediate space, in combination with a traveling screen orapron moving in front of the pole-piece, a feed-hopper, acollecting-hopper at the ends of the diverging fields of force, and acollecting-hopper for the intermediate space; substantially asdescribed.

5. Apparatus for separating magnetic from diamagnetic materials,comprising a magnet pole-piece having the general configuration ofbifurcations at the discharge end of the separator, said magnet-polebeing grooved or recessed to produce Wavy, zigzag, or tortuous fields offorce, in combination with a traveling screen or apron, moving in frontof the pole-piece from top to bottom thereof; substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I a'ffiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELMER GATES.

Witnesses:

J. E. HUTCHINSON, J r., A. E. GRANT.

